The UAE’s own “Einstein” said he was inspired to pursue a love of science by his first grade teacher, demonstrating just how crucial it is to have passionate educators.
Speaking at the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi this week, Dr Ahmed Al Mheiri, 36 — nicknamed “The Einstein Fellow” — said that his teachers were essential in his academic journey.
It began when his first grade teacher noticed a UAE flag he built from Lego.
“I was just minding my own business, my teacher saw the flag and she was so excited that she took me by the hand and showed my flag off to all the students and to the neighbouring classrooms,” he said.
“That's when I realised that something that I can make can actually bring happiness and make a positive change to others.”
It was a quality that soon became second nature.
Contagious passion for science
Once in high school, his physics and chemistry teachers ignited his love for the subjects.
“I was extremely lucky to have exceptional chemistry and physics teachers,” he said.
“They were both exceptional teachers but that isn't just the only thing that matters — they taught with a kind of contagious passion. That's what made science, especially physics, stick with me.”
Dr Al Mheiri described how a “teaser” about quantum mechanics from his physics teacher showed him just how much there was to learn.
“She would knock on the table on her table and say that the electrons on the atoms of this table had a probability of being on the moon,” he said.
“I thought she was crazy but then I went on to learn about quantum mechanics and realised that quantum mechanics is crazy.
“But by then it was too late, I was hooked.”
The teachers Dr Al Mheiri credits for his success were present at the lecture.
Decorated career
He is the first Emirati to be accepted for post-doctoral studies at Princeton University.
Dr Al Mheiri holds a PhD in physics from the University of California and received the Best PhD Thesis Award in the field of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.
He is currently studying what happens inside black holes, and understanding the connections between quantum information theory, quantum field theory and quantum gravity.
“I am thinking very deeply about how I can contribute to physics in the region, and my plan is to develop science by leveraging local resources,” he said.
“I hope to use the UAE’s extremely strategic resources [to develop theoretical physics in the region, especially as] there is so much interest and support.”
Speaking alongside Dr Al Mheiri was his mentor and Nobel Prize winner, Prof David Gross.
Dr Gross, who taught at Princeton, is chair professor of theoretical physics and former director of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at UC Santa Barbara.
“I am very impressed with what I see,” said Dr Gross.
“The last time I visited Abu Dhabi was 10 or 12 years ago, and I am very impressed with what is going on now, with the NYU Abu Dhabi efforts, and your dreams and ambitions.
“There is clearly enough potential, and enormous resources and opportunities. The future could be very, very bright for science in the UAE.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Global Fungi Facts
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• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
